STORYTELLERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON ACADEMIC LIFE (247 AH - 447 AH / 841 AD - 1055 AD) A RESEARCH EXTRACTED FROM THE LETTER AND STORYTELLERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON PUBLIC LIFE

Abstract

The Abbasid era (132-656 AH / 749-1258 AD) is considered an integrated era in all its aspects, whether military, political or scientific, although the Abbasid era was afflicted with weakness and frailty in one of its stages, which is the era of Buwayhid domination (334-447 AH / 945-1055 AD), but this stage was not devoid of cultural and intellectual activity, but rather it is considered one of the most active stages of its eras in scientific production in the sciences, arts and literature, so we notice the multiplicity of jobs and professions, including the profession and job of the storyteller, which became prevalent in the Abbasid era, and since it was the policy of states to use the same means for the party opposing it, it proceeded as was the case with the Umayyad state (41-132 AH / 660-749 AD), which is considered the one that created this job since the era of Caliph Muawiyah (41-60 AH / 660-679 AD), and this profession became a job and gained official status in the Umayyad state and salaries were paid for it, and after that the Abbasid state. This profession was not born of a certain era, but rather it is a profession with its first roots, as the Arabs were known for their love and passion for hearing stories, news, and the exploits and glories of their ancestors, which they used to chat about in their gatherings and nights. The profession of storyteller enjoys an important and prestigious position, as stories were mentioned dozens of times in the Holy Qur’an, and God Almighty commanded His noble Messenger to tell stories because the stories carry preaching, guidance and advice for Muslims. However, it was not known as a profession during the era of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, because he, peace and blessings be upon him, was the only storyteller and preacher for Muslims, in application of the Almighty’s saying: “And indeed, Allah is the One and Only nor during the era of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may God be pleased with him, until it was permitted during the era of Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, and the Imam Ali. The research included two sections, the first of which was a historical overview of retaliation and the legitimacy of stories, and the second section was the impact of retaliation on scientific life (247-447 AH/ 861-1055 AD). The study relied on most historical sources, including auxiliary sciences close to the era of the study, and we provided it with modern references with conclusions that fall within the core of the study topic.